LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – The Enugu State government is planning to introduce a community tax that will require every adult in rural communities to contribute to the state’s development.
The Executive Chairman of the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS), Emmanuel Nnamani, announced this initiative during a discussion with journalists in Enugu on Saturday.
Mr. Nnamani explained that while the concept of community tax is not new, previous administrations have either avoided or failed to implement it effectively.
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He stated that the taxes would be affordable and based on each individual’s financial capability.
He also mentioned that traditional rulers and president-generals would be involved in the planning and implementation of the tax.
“We still have community tax but we are going to take it step by step as it is not something we can carry on without involving traditional rulers and the President-General of every community in the state.
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“Government recently appointed the Traditional Rulers Council and we are just waiting for their inauguration.
“We will open up on that discussion and the tax will not cause fracas between the traditional rulers, President- Generals and the people,” he pledged.
The executive chairman questioned how the government could raise funds for the construction of smart schools, tier-two health centers in all wards, and mechanized boreholes in every community, among other projects.
“The last time community tax was collected in Enugu was in the 60s and early 70s but these days they don’t pay tax due to poor implementation.
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“We need to take government as a serious business. People pay taxes for their country to be developed and it is only when they pay taxes that the government can see what to work with.
“It is only in those days when our forefathers paid taxes that we built gigantic structures and companies like ANAMMCO, NigerCem, Niger Gas, Cashew plantations, Presidential Hotel and many others.
“These days, governments do not build such things because they don’t collect the supposed taxes,” Mr Nnamani said.